The F-22 Raptor is a stealthy fighter, produced by Lockheed Martin, that is capable of speeds over Mach One without the use of afterburners. This is know as supercruise. It enables the aircraft to go long distances quickly, while conserving fuel.

Using supercruise, fuel consumption of the F-22 Raptor is among the lowest of any modern fighter. Yet, if necessary, the aircraft is capable of tremendous acceleration.

All weapons are carried internally. These include practically every modern weapon the USAF has.

Advanced controls enable the aircraft to have the maneuverability of the most advanced fighters in the world today.

The F-22 Raptor has much of the same stealth technology used in earlier aircraft. Because it has a more stealth profile, less radar absorbing paints have to be used on it, saving weight. Also, by eliminating the canopy frames, there is less chance of reflecting radar beams.

The engines of the F-22 Raptor have fewer parts than conventional jet engines for ease of maintenance. The engines are controlled by two computer systems, so that if one fails or is is put out of order, the other can continue functioning. A "smokeless engine" feature helps keep the aircraft stealthy.

Aircraft maintenance is made easier with all components being easily accessible. Only six standard tools are used on the engine.

The first production fully vectorable nozzle in a U.S. aircraft is used on the engine. It can move up and down by twenty degrees.

Computers aboard check all systems so that the aircraft is self-diagnosing. All instruments in the F-22 Raptor are digital. The cockpit can hold pilots of all sizes, from the very smallest to largest.

The aircraft is ready to taxi in about half a minute after the engine starts. To start the aircraft, the pilot turns on the battery switch, puts the throttles to idle, and loads the mission into the computer. That's all!

Air to air weapons include up to eight of the latest missiles, with ground attack weapons including JDAM's of up to 1,000 lbs. each, and air to ground missiles.

The F-22 Raptor is said to be the only modern fighter that is able to fire weapons while performing rolling maneuvers of up to 100 degrees per second during extreme combat.

A unique weapons launching system for the internal ordnance enables missiles to exit the aircraft using hydraulics. A complete cycle for launching, including bay opening, the egress of the missile, and weapon engine start can take less than five seconds. The volumetric pressure on each missile during this process exceeds forty times the force of gravity at a speed of almost 30 fps.

The combat radius of the F-22 Raptor is enhanced by not having drag producing ordnance on the exterior of the aircraft. Additional benefits from having internal ordnance are increased maneuverability and speed. This method of carrying ordnance is a vast improvement over other aircraft that carry their ordnance externally.

To this date, the United States government considers the technology of the F-22 Raptor so important that Federal Law prohibits its export.

A total of 187 F-22 Raptor aircraft were built before production ended in 2011.

F- 22 Raptor

The FB Jets F-22 Raptor built by Kevin Lim has a 55 in. wingspan and length of 77 in. It needs an 18 lbf. thrust jet turbine engine for power.

The 61 3/4 in. wingspan F- 22 Raptor from a Century Jet Models kit length is 86 1/2 in. The fuselage is made from fiberglass and wings are composites. Power is by a single 21 - 30 lbf. thrust jet turbine engine. All-up weight is around 30 lbs.

Freewing has a PNP F-22 Raptor with a 27 in. wingspan and 37 1/2 in. length. It is an EPO foamy with fixed landing gear. Included is a 2836 - 3300 kV motor turning a 64 mm EDF unit.